‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ Star Gigi Goode Announces Trans/Non-Binary Identity
Rich Fury/Getty Images for Beverly Center and The Webster) Reading Time: 3 minutes
Season 12 RuPaul’s Drag Race runner-up, Gigi Goode took to social media to announce a major transition. The queen used her platform on Instagram to come out as a trans-nonbinary person who uses she/her pronouns. Goode shared her story in a video while recovering from facial surgery.
Gigi Goode Talks Her Trans Journey
“Almost eight months ago, in January, right at the beginning of the year, I decided to begin the process of hormone replacement therapy,” Goode shared in her video. “Which for those of you who don’t know, is the process of taking estrogen and testosterone blockers, differing on the person, as a means of bringing in the woman and pushing out the man.”
Goode also shared that her time alone during the pandemic was a crucial factor in her decision making. The process included a lot of self-reflection. She says watching the HBO Max series, Veneno, during this time was pivotal considering the characters are all trans.
On RuPaul’s Drag Race, the queen identified as gender fluid. She admitted that the realization of her more suited non-binary label was something she couldn’t quite process as the episodes were airing. Goode expressed that if the world hadn’t shut down, the process of her transition would have been halted. The queen also confirmed that she now identifies as a “trans/non-binary person” who uses she/her pronouns. Goode is also in the process of legally changing her name to Gigi.
The standout performer stressed that she wasn’t trying to keep her fans in the dark about her transition. However, it was important for her to take the necessary steps in private.
“I knew when I started I wanted this to be a journey I was going on by myself, on my own, without any input from the outside world,” she said. “The only people that really knew that I was going through this were me and my mom and my close friends living across the street, which is exactly the way that I wanted it, up until this point.”
The Queen on RuPaul’s Drag Race
In 2020, Goode competed on season 12 of Drag Race. She was the youngest contestant that season and came in second place. On the show, she won the main challenge in four episodes. In her performance during the Snatch Game, Goode impersonated “Maria the Robot,” a character based on the humanoid robot, Sophia. Her delivery on this challenge was labeled “physical comedy gold” and “incredibly witty.” Goode was highlighted that season for her comedy skills and fashion.
Additionally, Goode joins a long list of other trans people who have competed on Drag Race. Laganja Estranja, Gia Gunn, Gottmik, Peppermint, Kylie Sonique Love, Jiggly Caliente, and Carmen Carrera are among those who have transitioned.
After her time on the show, Goode pursued modeling and walked the runway for Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show in 2020. She also appeared in a print campaign for Moschino alongside season 13 winner, Symone, earlier this year.
